Metal-severing apparatus



L. A. CARTER. {VIETALISE'VERING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1918.

1396,993 muted Nov. 15 1921.,

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.1

Mlle/m2" L. A; CARTER.

MET AL SEVERINGAPPAHATUS. APPLICATION FILED OCT- 24, I9l8.

Patnted Nov 15,1921

3 SHEETSSHEEI 2.

L. A. CARTER.

METAL SEVERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24. 1918.

11. 39% 993. Patented Nov. 15, 1921i.

3 SHEETSSHEE1 3.

I 50 B,on which NITED STATES PATENT oer-ma.

mortar. A. GARTH; OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNQB OF ONE-THIRD T JAMES, ll.

MULIJRI AND ONE-THIRD T0 THOMAS U. MOLOINEY, 30TH 01E $5!- 'LOUI" MISSOURI,

METAL-SEWING APBARATUS.

Laaaeoa.

To all whom it my concern: Be it known that I, LIONEL A. CARTER, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Mis- 5 souri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Metal-severing Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will'enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to a new and useful -improveinent in an apparatus for severing metal by the use of a torch, the object being to arrangethe work or piece of metal-to be operated upon in suitable position relative to the torch and then by means of a pattern to positively move the torch in its travel over the work, whereby the torch is predeterminedly guided.

In the form in which I have illustrated my invention, the pattern is preferably composed oftrack made up of soft metal, such a as brass, with indentations pressed in its upper edge which form teeth by which a tracer wheel is positively moved in an advance direction, suitable guide wheels being arranged on each side of the track so as to 30 direct and control the advance movement In this manner the of the tracer wheel. tracer wheel, which is preferably motor driven, and which is arranged on one leg, preferably the upper, of a lazy U-shaped frame causes thelower member or leg of said frame, which carries the torch, to move in unison therewith over the, metal being operated upon. In this manner, the pattern which is fixed relative to the workbeing operated upon, forms a positive and rigid guiding support for the tracer wheel 'which is positively driven along the length thereof,

thus causing the torch to accurately followthe lines of the pattern.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 have -shown a sheet of metal A which is to be cut by the torch in the formation of the top flange and bottom wall of a transformer casing; The pattern is mounted on a plate or rails 6, preferably in the form 0 a thin brass bar indented on its upper edge, as above indicated. This bar is secured in any Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 2t, 1918. Serial Roi 259,5t0.

plate is arranged the co tracks Patented N ov. l5, 19%...

suitable manner to the pattern base plate B, preferably by having its lower edge welded to said base plate. This pattern consists of an encircling track 6 gm or outlineof the top flange of the transformer cas1ng. Within this marginal track, there IS a fluted track]? which defines "the outline of the former casing, and when the central portion flange portion A as described by me in an apphcatlon filed September 10, 1918, Serial Number 253,453, the portion A may be used as the top flange of the transformer casing and the portion A as the bottom set forth in said application.

In the drawings F igure 1 is a perspective view of a metal severing apparatus of my improved construct on.

Fig.v 2 is a plan view of the table or supporting means for the pattern or form utilized in my improved machine, parts thereof being broken away in order to show apart of the work which is supported beneath said table.

' Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section taken approximately on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevational view partly in section of the motor driven member which traverses the guidin form of pattern positioned upon the ta le of the. apparatus and which is eflective' in guiding the blow-pipe or torch.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken approxi-' thereof, as V which defines a marfluted side walls of the trans- Fig. 8 is a detail section showing the sup porting means for the jet'tube of the torch.

eferring by numerals to the accompanyi'ng drawings which illustrate a practical embodimentof my invention, 10 designates a base of any desired construction, and rising therefrom is a supporting post or standard 11 upon which is mounted for rotary movement a cylinder or hub 12.- Secured to and projecting outwardly from this cylinder is a pair of horizontally disposed parallel arms 13 spaced a art at their outer ends, to which outer en s are pivotally connected the upper and lower rails or arms 14 and 15, respectively, of a horizontally swinging frame, the lower member of which serves as a support for the torch utilized for performing the cutting or severing operations, and the upper member of which serves as a support for the motor which operates the guided tracer wheel.

The rear ends of the swinging members 14 and 15 are connected in any suitable manner, preferably by means of a vertically disposed rail 16, so as to form a :l-shaped frame. Secured to and projecting outwardly from cylinder 12 and oppositely disposed with respect to arms 13, is an arm 17 which carries an adjustable weight 18, the same serving to counterbalance the weight of the arms 15, the swinging frame carried by said arms, and the parts carried by said swinging frame.

Rails 14 and 15 are pivotally connected to arms 13 in any suitable manner, although I prefer to utilize short verticall disposed bolts 19 which coiiperate with suitable antifriction bearings, the latter being supported by bearing rings 20 carried by the arms 14 and 15 and the ends of said bolts being provided with heads 20 and having suitable fastening means, such as nuts 21, (see Fig. 4).

The inner end of lower rail 15 terminates adj acent to the hearing or axis between said rail and the lower one of the arms 13, and hinged or pivotally connected to this end of said lower rail so as to swing on a vertical axis is the end of a horizontally disposed torch carrying rail 22 forming a continuation of the arm. 15. This rail can be swung vertically to raise or lower the jet nozzle of the torch carried by the outer portion of said rail and this vertical adjustment is accomplished by means of a thumb or set screw 23 which operates through a lug 24 projecting upwardly from the inner end of arm 15 and engaging a threaded aperture formed in a corresponding lug 25 projecting upwardly from the adjacent end of rail 22.

The torch 26 utilized in my improved apparatus is of the type usually employed for cutting or severing metal by means of a burning jet of relatively high temperature and the body of this torch is supported in suitable blocks or hangers 27, the latter being adjustably 'mounted on rail 22. The outer end of the torch is provided with a depending jet nozzle 28 and the combustible gases such as acetylene, oxygen or oxyacetylene, or the like, are delivered to the other end of said torch in any suitable man ner, preferably by flexible tubes 29.

The metal to be severed by the jet of,flame of high temperature is usually insheet or plate form and in my improved apparatus,

. I provide a support for said sheet or plate in the form of a plurality of short vertically disposed pins 30, the same being removably positioned in apertures 31, which latter are formed in a pair of cross bars 32. The outer ends of these cross bars are provided with.

loops 33, the same being arranged for vertical adjustment upon suitable posts or standards 34. These loops 33 are preferably provided with set screws 35 which, when tightened, bear against the posts or standards, thereby locking said loops and the cross arms 32 in their adjusted position.

The pattern form or member which controls the cut or line along which the jet from the torch 26 travels, is preferably a narrow rail 36, the upper end of which is toothed so as to form a continuous rack, and this rail is secured in any suitable manner to a base 37, preferably a plate, and the latter is supportedon a table 38 which is positioned a suitable distance above the work supporting bars 32. This table is provided at its corners with loops 39 which are adjustably mounted on the upper portions of the legs or standards 34 and adapted to be locked there- 1 to by means of set screws .40.

Secured to the forward end of rail 13 is a plate 41 and adjustably positioned upon this plate is a small motor 42, preferably electric, and carried by the shaft thereof is a worm 43. This worm engages a worm wheel 44, the latter being fixed on the upper end of a vertically disposed shaft 45 which is mounted for rotation in a suitable bearing 46 on plate 41. Shaft 45 extends downward into the upper portion of a gear frame, the same comprising side plates 47, top plate 48, base blocks 49, and an intermediate plate 50, the latter serving as a bearing for the lower end of said shaft 45. The lower portion of this shaft 45 carries a worm 51 which meshes with a worm wheel 52 and the latter being mounted on a shaft 53, the ends of which are journaled in plates 47.

Fixed to worm wheel 52 is a pinion 54 and meshing therewith is a pinion 55, the latter being carried by a shaft 56 which is journaled in suitable bearings in the lower portions of plates 47 Fixed to pinion 55 is a smaller pinion 57, the same meshing with a pinion 58 which is carried by shaft 59. The ends of this shaft are j ournaled in plates 47 and said shaft passes through the base blocks 49, which latter are'arranged to the sides of gear wheel 58.

When in operation, the .gear wheel 58 engages the teeth of rack bar 36 and to retain such engagement pins 60 are seated in the undersides of base blocks 49, and mounted on the lower portions of said pins are horizontally disposed rollers 61 which bear directly against the sidefaces of said rack bar 36.

To insure accuracy of cut'or line of sepanaeaeea From the above, it will be seen that the jointed swinging frame enables the tracer wheel to traverse the cog rail constituting the pattern, and that the torch being connected thereto and guided thereby, will accurately reproduce the movement of the tracer wheel over the pattern so that the sheet of metal beingoperated upon will be subjected to a traveling line of torch fire causing the metal to be oxidized or severed according to the drive of the tracer wheel over the pattern rack. The frame members 13 and 14, 15-22, enables the tracer wheel to traverse the rack over all portions of the pattern supporting table, because the arms 14 and l522 embrace the pattern supporting table and rack.

in my improved apparatus it will be noted that the work or plate of material to be severed is located directly beneath the pattern, such arrangement insuring accuracy of cut or line of severance, for the pattern or guiding track upon which the tracer wheel operates can be very accurately shaped before being placed on plate 37. Further, my

improved construction does away with all pantographic mechanism between the pattern and the torch, andin this connection it will be understood that the use of pantographic mechanism is attended by certain disadvantages and particularly where extra large pieces of work are being cut, for such large. pieces will necessarily require extra large templets or patterns. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated in practice, that an operator can work to much greater ad vantage Where the work being done or parts out out are the same size as the pattern.

It will be noted that the work or pattern to be cut is supported by pins 30 a short distance above the adjustable frame 32 and that a number of pins are used between the work and each portion of the cross frame. This arrangement is carried out in order that the work acted upon by the jet will be spaced apart from the cross frame a sufficient distance to preventthe molten metal resulting from the cutting operation h'om coming into contact with the cross frame and injuring the same, Further, the use of a plurality of pins on each arm of the cross frame provides means for supporting both the cut-out section of metal and the larger piece from which said cut-out section is removed, r a

A metal severing machine of my improved construction is comparatively simple, can 7 be operated with comparatively llttle power owing to the manner of supporting the torch carrying frame, and said apparatus is very effective in performing its intended functions.

"It will be readily understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved metal severing machine may be made and'substituted for those herein shown and described, Without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is: V

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a movable frame, one portion of which carries a torch, a motor-driven tracer wheel on the frame, and a pattern member constituting a track upon which said wheel operates and with which it automatically cocperates for positively guiding said torch.

2. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a movable frame consisting essentially of two members, one member of which carries a torch, and the other member of which carries a motor driven tracer wheel, in combination witha pattern track upon which said tracer wheel is mounted against lateral displacement and with which said tracer wheel coiiperates to guide thetorch. a

3. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a frame freely movable in a horizontal plane, said frame having two members in diflerent horizontal planes, one of which members carries a torch, and the other of which members carries a motor driven toothed tracer wheel, in combination with a pattern composed of a cog rail with which said tracer wheel coiiperates for positively guiding and moving the torch.

In an apparatus'of the character deswinging frame composed of two members spaced apart, one of which members carries a torch, means for adjusting the torch carrying member, a motor driven tracer wheel mounted on the other member, a cog rail or track forming a pattern with which said tracer wheelcooperates topositively drive and move said torch carrying member, and guide -wheels coiiperating on each side of the pattern track to guide and hold said tracer wheel in its travel.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a work support, a pattern disposed imme diately above said work support, a swinging frame, a torch carried by said name and adapted to move over the work support, and a tween wheel carried bysaid name and adapted to traverse said pattern.

. 6. In an apparatus of the class described,

a work support, a pattern disposed imme diately above said work support, a swingllli and adapted to move over the work support, a tracer wheel carried by said frame and adapted to traverse said pattern, and a motor for driving said tracer wheel.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a toothed pattern track, of a motor-driven tracer wheel arranged for operation on said toothed track, and means for retaining said toothed tracer wheel on said track and holding it against lateral movement thereupon.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a swinging frame having an adjustable part, a torch carried by said adjustable part, a motor driven tracer wheel carried by said frame, a pattern-member with which said tracer wheel is adapted to engage, means carried by said frame adjacent to said tracer wheel and adapted to automatically maintain said tracer wheel in operative engagement with Said pattern member, and a work support occupying a plane adjacent to the plane traversed by the jet of a torch.

9. In a metal severing apparatus, a work support comprising a vertically adjustable rail, and work supporting pins seated therein.

10. In a metal severing apparatus, the combination with supports, a frame adjustably carried by said supports, and pins removably seated in said frame and projecting upwardly therefrom.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a swinging frame including a pair of substantially horizontally disposed rails"a-r ranged one above the other, one of which rails is adjustable with respect to the other, a torch carried by the lower one of said rails, and a pattern engaging tracer wheel carried by the other rail anddisposed in a plane above the torch carrying rail.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, a swinging frame, including a pair of substantially parallel rails arranged one above the other,.one of which rails is adjustable toward andaway from the other, a torch carried by the adjustable rail, and a pattern engaging tracer wheel carried by said frame.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, a swinging frame including a pair of substantially parallel rails arranged one above the other, one of which rails is adjustable toward and awayfrom the other, a torch carried by the adjustable rail, and means including a relatively stationary pattern and a positively guided pattern engaging tracer wheel for actuating said frame.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, a swinging frame, a torch carried thereby, and a pattern engaging tracer wheel mounted for operation on said frame, which tracer wheel is substantially in vertical alinement with the jet nozzle of said torch.

15. In-an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a toothed pattern track, of a torch carrying frame arranged to swing in a plane adjacent to said pattern track, and atoothed tracer wheel mounted for operation upon said frame and adapted to traverse said pattern track.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a swinging frame and torch carried thereby, of means for actuating said swinging frame to guide the path of travel of the jet nozzle of said torch, which means comprises a toothed pattern track, and a positively driven tracer wheel operating thereupon.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination witha swinging frame and torch carried thereby, of means for actuating said swinging frame to guide the path of travel of the jet nozzle of said torch, which means comprises a toothed pattern track, a positively driven tracer wheel opcrating thereupon, and means for retaining the tracer wheel in position upon said track.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a swinging frame and torch carried thereby, -of means for actuating said swinging frame to guide the path of travel of the jet nozzle of said torch, which means comprises a pattern in the form of a toothed rail, and a toothed pinion mounted for operation thereupon.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, a pattern track rail, a tracer wheel ope-rating thereupon, a movable support for said tracer wheel, a motor-driven shaft journaled in said support, and driving connections from said shaft to said tracer wheel.

20. In an apparatus of the class described,

a pattern track rail, a tracer wheel operating thereupon, a movable support for said tracer wheel, a motor driven shaft journaled in said support, and a reducing gear between said shaft and tracer wheel.

21. In an apparatus of the class described,

a pattern track rail, a tracer wheel operating thereupon, a frame in which the tracer wheel '0 is journaled, guiding means between said frame and pattern track rail, and means for positively driving said tracer wheel.

22. In an apparatus of the class described? a torch carrying frame, a pattern track rail, a tracer wheel operating thereupon, a. pivotally mountedfame in which the tracer wheel is journaled, said pivotally mounted frame being carried by the torch carrying frame, and means for driving said tracer 12 wheel and cause the same to traverse the pattern track rail.

23. In an apparatus of the class described,

a torch carrying frame, a pattern track, a

tracer wheel operating thereupon, a pivottrack, and means for retaining said tracer v wheel in position upon said track.

24:. In a machine of the class described, a swinging torch carrying frame, a toothed rail constituting a pattern track, a motor driven pinion supported by the swinging frame and engaging the toothed rail to guide the swinging frame and the torch carried thereby, and means for retaining the v pinlion in engagement with said toothed 10 1'31 In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature this 21st da of October 1918. L10 EL A. CARTER. 

